Caramelized Balsamic Ice Cream

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I Scream for Ice Cream Saturdays!

Do you ever crave something only to open your fridge and discover you don’t have everything you need? If your like me, these moments happen almost daily. No matter how much time I invest into making my grocery list on the weekends, I can never predict what I’ll crave later in the week.

I wanted, no needed, some ice cream today. After a long week at work interviewing for a new baker at the bakery, I needed some quiet, relaxing ice cream eating time.

Almond Brittle and Salted Ganache Ice Cream

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I Scream for Ice Cream Saturdays!

I don’t know what is more exciting: a warm, sunny day, or the anticipation of a warm, sunny day.  In the northwest, we spend 7 months waiting for the summer weather to arrive.  As I find myself on the spring-side of winter, I think I choose the later.  The forecast is predicting temperatures in the mid-70’s and possibly even higher.  I can’t help but start preparing for it now. 

 

What better way than with a sweet and salty ice cream with a bit of crunch?  The inspiration for this recipe comes from a new ice cream shop I often walk to on Alberta Street, called Salt and Straw.  The shop is known for its homemade ice cream with adventurous flavor combinations, like Honey Lemon with Ricotta Walnut Cookies, or Pear and Blue Cheese.

Slaws and Patties

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I have recently become smitten with slaws.  Not the mayonnaise-heavy, limp cabbage slaw that, until recently, I thought was the only type of slaw out there.  Oh no.  I’m talking about fresh, crisp vegetables tossed with flavorful, light vinaigrettes.

I love slaws, and here are just a few reasons why:

1. They are a great way to sneak more raw vegetables into my everyday meals.

2. Slaws go with everything!  So far, we have added them to burgers, tacos, nachos, potato salad, grilled cheese, tuna sandwiches, and toast. All good.

A Grilled Cheese Spread

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Can you see the possibilities here!  Just looking at this picture makes me hungry again despite the fact that I recently chowed down on a hearty lunch.  Unfortunately, my lunch was not a grilled cheese sandwich, if it had been, I would be utterly satisfied. Instead, my mind is wandering to last night’s dinner. 

Strawberry Balsamic Cake

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 It was one of those fabulously warm weekends.  One of those weekends that puts the entire city in a good mood, simply because the sun has decided to make one of it’s first grand entrances of the year.  One of those weekends that gets warm enough for a run along the river in a t-shirt!  A weekend that encourages barefoot walks on the beach, along with a few darts into the shallow waves to throw sticks for the dogs just a little bit further into the ocean.  A weekend that inspired my family and I to make quiche, chile rellenos, hollandaise sauce, and strawberry balsamic cake, and eat it all before 11am, without regard for creating a well-rounded and balanced meal. 

Duck Eggs and Coconut Ice Cream

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This past weekend, T came home with four lovely duck eggs (and six dozen chicken eggs, but we will get to those later) from the Great American Egg, in Powell Butte, Oregon.  Duck eggs are unique because they have more fat in their yolks and more protein in their whites than your typical chicken eggs.  They are also a bit larger and have a thicker shell than chicken eggs, so they last longer in the refrigerator.  What better way to emphasize the richness of duck eggs then making a batch of homemade ice cream with them, how do you feel about coconut?